A chance to experience top wildlife at Tophill Low

June 05, 2019

On Sunday June the 9th Tophill Low, the East Yorkshire Nature Reserve run by Yorkshire Water will be opening its doors for free in celebration of the peak of the wildlife calendar.

The annual open day is held when the orchids and wildflower meadows are in full bloom, and the breeding colonies of terns and wildfowl at their busiest. Reserve Warden Richard Hampshire says “The reserve always looks spectacular in mid-June, with woodlands alive with bird song and foxgloves aplenty. It’s a time of year when the volunteers and I enjoy the merits of a year of hard work, and it’s great to show people the reserve and what we do with help from our friends.”

The reserve recently received a Highly Commended accolade from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors for the new Yorkshire Water funded bird hide, which will be at the centre of the day.

From 10am admission will be free for all visitors and there is an array of conservation and environment themed activities on show. Local conservation groups including East Yorkshire Bat Group, Hedgehog rescue, Yorkshire Red Kites, Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and Badger Protection Society will be on hand to show how they help local wildlife. Humberside Police Wildlife Crime Unit will be on hand to talk about their anti-poaching work. Local history groups are presenting the human side of the river Hull Valley. There’s also lots on for younger enthusiasts with the reserve education team and the Cranedale Centre demonstrating the pond dipping, bug hunting and craft activities on offer regardless of the weather.

Local artists John Naylor and Jan Taylor will be bringing exhibitions of their wildlife themed artwork and a number of the reserves photographers will be presenting too.

Richard adds “There’s even a chance to sample some of our livestock; our graziers from Beswick Hall farms will be bringing their catering tent with locally reared meat grazed on local nature reserves.”

The event runs until 4pm and the reserve is located 4 miles from the A164 at Watton near Driffield. No dogs, normal admission is £3.50 for adults and £1.80 for concessions. For more information visit www.tophilllow.blogspot.com or ring 01377270690.